P.S I'm talking about Flylady. She promises to help you get your house and hence your life into order. I'm a procrastinating piler, and have reached critical mass. One more of anything and it will all fall down.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Not really eager to talk to her idiot ex-husband, Kat instead studied the Rube Goldberg style devices in the nearby window display as she considered her options. She probably wasn't getting Russ's help. Her split-at-the-first-sign-of-trouble little sister wasn't coming back any time soon. And she couldn't leave that body in the freezer forever. The white-bearded fat man rolled through the church doors over and over again. The machine was stuck. “Something isn't doing its part right.” And that's when it dawned on her. Not wasting any time, she hurried away to set her plan in motion, feeling more hopeful than she had since this whole family drama started.

I think you know the drill by now, so just a quick review. Prompt in bold italic. 100 words. Jenny. I'm trying to string them all together, and Jenny's trying to stump me. C'mon, four weeks in a row of "holiday" style prompts?

Need to catch up? Put Family Drama in my search gadget to get them all. Only need last week? It's here.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Tired, frustrated, and if she was honest with herself, scared, Kat closed the garage and took one more look at the freezer with the body stashed. Good, it still looks a mess in there, he'll be safe. He wasn't going anywhere. But she was: Retail therapy. To forget her current predicament for a while in the crowds of Christmas shoppers cramming the mall seemed like a great idea.

Passing through the food court she was startled by a familiar voice, “What was he thinking? OMG! Elves are soooo 2009!” Wait. Couldn't be. Could it? Turning around she saw him. What in the on earth was he doing here?

Saturday Centus again. You know the drill: 100 words around the prompt (not included in the count) and in bold italics above. Link up at Jenny's at Off on My Tangent if you want to join. I'm adding an extra twist: connecting all the short stories into one story, told 100 words at a time. And I think Jenny's out to get me...these prompts have been really challenging...

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Have you heard of the concept ofThe Five Love Languages? This book by Gary Chapman was first published in 1992 and is now available in 38 languages, while continuing to be in the top 100 on Amazon. I've found that understanding these differences between us has really improved my relationships, not just with The Engineer, but also my kids and my friends.

The basic concept is that although most of us use each of the languages some of the time, we all have one that is dominant. Learning what language your loved one speaks truly improves communication. The five languages are: touch, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and giving gifts.

Let's start with mine, touch. I'm a hugger, I love having my hair played with (the little girls I used to baby-sit enjoyed “styling” it), I like to hold hands, cuddle while watching a movie, and of course, ahem (Jenny says PG) spouse type loving. If you're my friend, I'll hug you every time I see you. If you're my son, I'll mess with your hair, give you a great back rub, or snuggle with you when I put you to bed. If you want to give me a gift, I'd love a gift certificate for a massage ;-)

The Engineer speaks acts of service. Are you moving? He'll be there, with his trailer, his mad packing skills and will pretty much run the show if you like. The sweet little widowed grandmas at church get their sprinkler systems winterized for free. He'll grab his compressor, the converted air tank, put it all in his trailer and take care of that for you. I've NEVER mowed a lawn, or had to pay to have my oil changed. Even though this so isn't my language, I've learned that the simple things like making his coffee, or packing his lunch, or even laying out his clothes makes a huge difference for him. I try to have dinner ready when he gets home, and fix his plate for him. He'll turn around and serve me by do the dishes afterwards. And then we cuddle on the couch and watch that movie.

If you're a “words of affirmation” you feel loved when someone encourages you, or praises you for something you've done. Of course you need to HEAR “I love you” because changing your tires, though it's that other person's “acts of service” to you, doesn't say it “loudly” enough. You like to hear “thank-you” and “that was a completely wonderful meal” or “you're so good at that!” whatever that may be.

My Jake needs “quality time” so going out for coffee with Mom is a favorite activity. We chat and sip and laugh. He likes to help The Engineer with projects, because that's what his dad will be doing, and Jake wants to be with him. He's always asking for a sleep-over so that he and his friends can hang out for a long time.

Everyone loves getting gifts, but do you know that someone who seems to always pick the right thing to give you, even though you'd never thought of it? I bet that person's language is gifts. This is my sis. “Oh, well, I was just at Hobby Lobby and I know you like sunflowers, and it was on clearance, so here!” No occasion needed, just a hug in her language. She pays attention to people, and somehow manages to be completely creative in her choices. Not to mention generous. From me? You get a gift card.

If you learn your loved ones' languages, and do your best to speak them, I truly think your relationships can only improve. Then imagine that they are doing that very same thing, trying to speak in yours. We all have our differences, and they say opposites attract, but opposites also have trouble understanding each other some of the time. Making the effort to communicate effectively is a gift to you both.

This post is not about me practicing writing. It's just a news bulletin, to let you know where I am in life right now.

Back in July, my hip started hurting and it's gotten progressively worse over time. I gave in and saw a hip specialist who x-rayed and MRI'd me. And promptly passed me off to an even more special specialist. I finally got to meet with him yesterday. it's not happy news at all. My labrum is torn alright, but it's because of the severe arthritis in that joint. He can't fix the labrum because the ball in the socket joint is not aligned correctly. And even if he could, it would probably just tear again since he can't fix the arthritis. And even if he could fix it, and the arthritis, and the arthritis didn't return, there's still the huge risk of getting RSD. Read about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome here.

if you're interested in learning more. This condition is what I already have in my right wrist which I shattered in 2000, fused in 2006, and still hurts like crazy. Every day.

Needless to say, I'm completely floored by this news. He said the only fix is a hip replacement. But even then, the risk of RSD is so high that it might not be worth it. At least not at this time.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Dragging the body to the freezer proved a lot more work than she'd anticipated. Three steps, rest. Three steps, rest. Elaine had always liked her men tall, muscular, and fit. Why couldn't she have killed some wimpy hundred pound weakling? Ok, what would she have Annie do, if she was writing this instead of living it? That was a tough one. The last line she'd written in her current manuscript was, “An involuntary gasp of shock escaped my lips when I opened the shoebox and saw the pointy-toed shoes.” Her heroine had a shoe thing...probably wouldn't wanted to get dirty...so no help there. Where the expletive was Russ? She was going to make him pay for this.

It's Saturday Centus, and I'm linking all my entries together for the sheer challenge of it. Go here for last week, and for the links to the previous weeks. If you feel like playing along, head on over to Jenny's for the full rules of how to use the prompt (in bold italics above) in your own story. Then check out the other varied takes on the crazy prompts she gives us. Never a dull moment in this meme!

If you haven't seen the flashmob food court Halleluiah Chorus, please take five minutes to savor this beautiful celebration of the birth of the King. Then head on over to One-Shot Wednesday for more poetry from a variety of writers. Write your own and link up!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

It was mid-morning by the time Kat gave up waiting for Russ's call. She couldn't afford more delay, so with renewed determination she studied the dead body.

“I guess I'll have to hide you in the garage. If there's room.”

It was a little less creepy dealing with the situation while talking aloud.

“This might be harder than I thought. Look at all this crap!”

Then it dawned on her. Moving the bin of tangled up holiday lights, Kat lifted the lid of the ancient chest freezer. More crap. But moveable crap.

It wasn't long before the space was ready and waiting for the victim.

It'sSaturday Centus. By now you know the drill, 100 words, don't mess with the prompt (in bold italic), link up atJenny's. I'm challenging myself to connect all my stories, regardless of the prompt. So go check out the other stories, and add yours to thelinky.